Is Drinking a Cup of Coffee Beneficial to Our Health?

A growing number of people are having a cup coffee to start their day in the hopes of increasing productivity and achieving more progress. And because it is widely available, coffee seems to have become an essential part of people’s diet. According to research, more than 80% of Americans run on coffee on a daily basis, consuming at least 2-3 cups of it every day. But what do you really know about coffee? Is it really healthy and beneficial?

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Drinking Coffee

Since coffee is found to have a natural compound called caffeine, drinking coffee in moderation is deemed healthy as evidenced by recent studies.  When you consume a maximum of 3 cups of coffee per day, then that could be considered to be a healthy routine.  Excessive caffeine intake could potentially lead to health risks and serious problems.

For instance, caffeine in coffee is identified to be a psychoactive substance that helps pep you up. Caffeine acts the central nervous system, increasing adrenaline levels in the blood and in turn boosts physical performance and increases focus.
As a complex beverage containing thousands of substances, coffee has riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, niacin pantothenic acid and manganese among other nutrients. Drinking coffee may have some healthy effects other than waking you up. Apart from reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer (liver and colorectal), studies show that caffeine could protect you against Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Coffee contains substances which may help you lose weight, too. You may have heard a lot of people asking if coffee really helps you achieve your goals in terms of having a beach body. To illustrate, potassium and magnesium in coffee helps your body use insulin, regulates blood sugar levels hence reducing your craving for sweet treats. Moreover, caffeine helps break down body fats which can then be used as fuel when you’re getting in shape by working out or training. Because coffee also acts as a diuretic, it tends to help you lose weight by means of water loss while as an antioxidant, it helps your body recover from exercise.

When you plan on including coffee in your diet, it is advised to limit on extra calories that you can get from milk and sugar. Alternatives like a small amount of raw honey, maple syrup or milk improves taste, adding flavors without worrying about getting more unwanted calories.

Even though coffee has health benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Over-consumption of coffee often results in changes in sleep patterns (insomnia), restlessness and can cause increase in blood pressure and heart rate. As a mild diuretic, excessive coffee intake may lead to dehydration and can cause discomfort to people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome as it upsets their bowels. Acids like coffee can aggravate heartburn and indigestion. And for those people who run on coffee, a possibility of caffeine addiction is not unheard of. Your body soon develops a tolerance to it until you can’t be without it. Headaches and shakiness are symptoms of withdrawal in people with caffeine addiction.

All things considered, having coffee in reasonable amounts, like a maximum intake of 3 cups a day, can help prevent diseases, aid in weight loss and boost physical performance. It is also important to consult a healthcare professional to learn about the effects of coffee on your health.

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